Player Updates

Alvarez signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Monday which includes an invitation to spring training, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

There are few organizations easier to battle for a roster spot with than the Marlins, but even so, Alvarez doesn't necessarily have an inside shot. He's primarily a designated hitter, having started just 13 games in the field over the last two seasons. He no longer appears to have the bat capable of carrying his value as a bat-only player, though, as he hit just .180/.283/.414 in 45 games with the Orioles last season. Some positive regression from his .179 BABIP could help, but he'll be 32 years old next season and the rebuilding Marlins will likely prefer to give playing time to younger players.

Alvarez hit .180/.283/.414 with eight homers across 45 games with the Orioles before being designated for assignment. He'll now hit the open market after finishing the season with Triple-A Norfolk. Entering his age-32 season, Alvarez will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal in 2019.

As expected, none of the other 29 teams were willing to put in a waiver claim on Alvarez, a player with limited defensive value who only managed a .180/.283/.414 line across 127 plate appearances with the Orioles. He'll likely see steady at-bats as a designated hitter for Norfolk and post gaudy power production, but Alvarez has proven overmatched against major-league competition since joining the Baltimore organization in 2016.

Alvarez is hitting just .091 across seven games (two starts) in June and .180 on the season, so the Orioles decided to drop him from their 40-man roster. Steve Wilkerson had his contract purchased from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding roster move. Alvarez will now take a spin through waivers.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Thursday against the White Sox.

With Mark Trumbo (knee) still sidelined and a right-hander on mound, Alvarez got his second chance to start in the Orioles' series against the White Sox. He took advantage by getting on base three times, though he did fail to hit for any extra-bases. Overall, the story remains the same for Alvarez as he is slugging .484 but striking out at a 24% clip in 93 at-bats this season.